Base64 is a way to write any data using only 64 plain text characters (A to Z, a to z, 0 to 9, plus + and /). It is used to carry text or binary data through systems that only handle plain text, such as email and data URLs. It is an encoding, not encryption, so it does not keep anything secret.

How do I encode text to Base64?

Make sure Encode is selected, then type or paste your text into the input box and click Encode. The Base64 result appears below. Click the copy button to copy it, or download it as a .txt file.

How do I decode Base64 back to text?

Click Decode, paste your Base64 string into the input box, then click the Decode button. The original text appears below. Line breaks and spaces in the input are ignored, so you can paste wrapped Base64 as is.

Does it handle emoji and accented characters?

Yes. The text is read as UTF-8 before encoding, so emoji, accents, and other non-English characters survive a round trip through encode and decode without getting corrupted.

What is URL-safe Base64?

Standard Base64 uses + and / and ends with = padding, which can cause problems inside a URL or filename. URL-safe Base64 replaces + with - and / with _ and drops the padding. Turn on the URL-safe option when encoding. Decoding accepts either style automatically.

Is Base64 the same as encryption?

No. Anyone can decode Base64 back to the original text, so it offers no security. Use it to move or store data as plain text, not to protect it.

Is my text safe and private?

Your text never leaves your browser. All encoding and decoding runs locally on your device, so nothing is uploaded to a server. Once the page has loaded you can even use it offline.

Base64 Encode and Decode

Convert text to Base64 and back in one place. Pick a direction, type or paste your text, and click Encode or Decode to see the result. It handles emoji and accented characters, and everything runs in your browser so your text stays on your device.

Plain text

URL-safeWrap at 76 chars

Base64 result

What is Base64 encoding?

Base64 rewrites any text or data using only 64 plain text characters. It is the standard way to carry content through systems that expect plain text, like email attachments, data URLs, and JSON fields. This tool encodes your text to Base64 or decodes it back with one click. It is an encoding, not encryption, so anyone can decode it. Use it to move and store data as plain text, not to keep it secret.

Why use our Base64 converter

·Free. No signup, no paywall, no limits.
·Runs in your browser. Nothing gets uploaded, your text stays with you.
·Both directions. Encode and decode in the same place, and swap with one click.
·Handles any characters. Emoji and accented text survive a full round trip.
·URL-safe option. Get output that drops straight into a URL or filename.

Base64 encoder and decoder options

Encode

Turns plain text into Base64. Works with any characters, including emoji and accented letters, because the text is read as UTF-8 first.

BeforeHelloAfterSGVsbG8=

Decode

Turns Base64 back into plain text. Extra spaces and line breaks are ignored, and both standard and URL-safe Base64 are accepted.

BeforeSGVsbG8=AfterHello

URL-safe

Swaps the + and / characters for - and _ and drops the trailing = padding, so the result is safe to drop into a URL or filename.

Beforea?b>cAfterYT9iPmM

Wrap at 76 chars

Breaks long output into 76-character lines. This matches the MIME format used in email headers and PEM files. Leave it off for a single unbroken string.

Beforelong input...After

76 chars↵
per line

How Base64 works, and why it makes data bigger

Base64 reads your data 3 bytes at a time. Those 24 bits are split into four groups of 6 bits, and each group becomes one of 64 characters: A to Z, a to z, 0 to 9, + and /. So every 3 bytes of input become 4 characters of output.

Input	Base64	Why
`Man`	`TWFu`	3 bytes become exactly 4 characters
`Ma`	`TWE=`	2 bytes, so one = is added as padding
`M`	`TQ==`	1 byte, so two = signs are added

Because 3 bytes turn into 4 characters, Base64 is about 33% larger than the original. A 300 KB image becomes about 400 KB of text. That is fine for small icons and tokens, but it is why large files are better sent as normal files.

Base64 is encoding, not encryption

Anyone can decode Base64 with a tool like this one, in one click and with no key. It hides nothing. Never use it to protect passwords, API keys, or personal data.

This matters in places where Base64 looks like a secret. A Basic Auth header or a JWT is only Base64, so anyone who sees it can read what is inside. Keep them private and only send them over HTTPS.

When to use Base64

Base64 comes up whenever data needs to travel or be stored as plain text. Here are the most common reasons people encode and decode it:

·Building data URLs. Embed a small image or font directly in CSS or HTML as a Base64 string.
·Reading tokens and headers. Decode the parts of a JWT or a Basic Auth header to see what is inside.
·Sending data through JSON or email. Wrap content as plain text so it passes through cleanly.
·Testing an API. Quickly encode or decode a value while debugging a request or response.
·Storing config values. Keep a multi-line or special-character value on a single plain text line.

Frequently asked questions

What is Base64?: Base64 is a way to write any data using only 64 plain text characters (A to Z, a to z, 0 to 9, plus + and /). It is used to carry text or binary data through systems that only handle plain text, such as email and data URLs. It is an encoding, not encryption, so it does not keep anything secret.
How do I encode text to Base64?: Make sure Encode is selected, then type or paste your text into the input box and click Encode. The Base64 result appears below. Click the copy button to copy it, or download it as a .txt file.
How do I decode Base64 back to text?: Click Decode, paste your Base64 string into the input box, then click the Decode button. The original text appears below. Line breaks and spaces in the input are ignored, so you can paste wrapped Base64 as is.
Does it handle emoji and accented characters?: Yes. The text is read as UTF-8 before encoding, so emoji, accents, and other non-English characters survive a round trip through encode and decode without getting corrupted.
What is URL-safe Base64?: Standard Base64 uses + and / and ends with = padding, which can cause problems inside a URL or filename. URL-safe Base64 replaces + with - and / with _ and drops the padding. Turn on the URL-safe option when encoding. Decoding accepts either style automatically.
Is Base64 the same as encryption?: No. Anyone can decode Base64 back to the original text, so it offers no security. Use it to move or store data as plain text, not to protect it.
Is my text safe and private?: Your text never leaves your browser. All encoding and decoding runs locally on your device, so nothing is uploaded to a server. Once the page has loaded you can even use it offline.